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HGTV Handmade Dollar Store Challenge


It’s Challenge Week again on HGTV Handmade, and today I’m kicking off the Dollar Store Party Decor Challenge. This was probably the most challenging challenge we’ve done yet, but I think I came up with something really cute. I ended up making placecard holders out of alphabet blocks and then set the scene with more things I got from the dollar store. I did cheat a little bit and use a few supplies I already had, but I don’t think that’s the end of the world. Keep reading for more details about my DIY!



When I went shopping, I kind of forgot the whole party decor part of the equation, and I came home with a ton of random supplies that didn’t necessarily fit the theme. I didn’t have time to go back to the dollar store to get more stuff, so I had to make do, and I think it turned out alright. At least I managed to get a ton of cheap glassware which I’ll be using in my next DIY!


The craft that I ended up doing is placecard holders that I made out of a pack of cheap alphabet blocks I got at the dollar store. I sawed a slit into the top, and then painted them with a fun geometric design. And then I cut out cupcakes from some tape I picked up at the dollar store to dress up the namecards. I set the scene with a vase and some fake grass that I got at the dollar store, and then I also used sunglasses I got on Amazon, patterned straws from Target, and a painted mason jar from this video on my main channel. I think it all came together really well in the end, but I was definitely worried for a few minutes in there that I would just have a total craft fail.


If you’re not throwing a party, you can use the blocks to hold photos or memorabilia, like this photo from the first VidCon, a photostrip from last year’s Designer Vaca, and a postcard from Tyler Oakley’s Trevor Project fundraiser.

I cannot wait to see what the other girls make for their Dollar Store Challenge all week long, and if you want to see another challenge week from HGTV Handmade, you can check out our Thrift Store Challenge as well. And stay tuned until next week when I have a really fun jewelry DIY video coming your way!